Australia-based AWE Ltd. (ASX: AWE.AX) provided an update on the flow testing program for the Senecio-3 well in Western Australia’s Perth Basin, the company said March 9. AWE is the operator in a joint venture (JV) with Origin Energy Ltd., the company added.

The flow testing’s second stage began March 8, focusing on the upper Kingia Sandstone. A 10-meter interval was perforated without stimulation. Bruce Clement, managing director, said that the initial flow test results from this target area confirmed the commercial potential of the recently discovered Waitsia gas field.

A preliminary maximum gas flow rate of 18.5 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) was measured on a 48/64-inch choke, and the well flowed gas at an average rate of 12.3 MMcf/d over a 5-hour period on a 36/64-inch choke. The gas composition was predominantly methane.

The well will be shut in for a brief pressure build-up survey prior to a series of flow tests at various choke settings, rates and well head pressures over the next week. Full testing program expected to be completed by mid-April.

AWE estimates that the Kingia and High Cliff Sandstone intervals could have up to 290 Bcf of gross resources.

Further appraisal of the Waitsia field is planned for late May with the drilling of the Waitsia-1 well, 3 kilometers to the east of Senecio-3 in L1/L2. This well will follow the planned Irwin-1 exploration well in EP320, scheduled to spud in late March. The Irwin well will be operated by AWE with Origin Energy as a JV partner.